Kurt Buff wrote: > On Thu, Mar 12, 2009 at 08:31, Robert Brockway <[email protected]> > wrote: > >> On Wed, 11 Mar 2009, Brad Knowles wrote: >> >> >>> Here at UT Austin, we have something called a "Position of Special Trust", >>> see <http://www.utexas.edu/vp/it/policies/uts165/specialtrust.php> and >>> <http://www.utexas.edu/ugs/staff/policies/pdf/POST>. >>> >>> This helps us meet state laws regarding individuals with access to >>> sensitive >>> information, as well as state-wide UT Systems policies (i.e., all the >>> dozens >>> of universities in the state that are part of the UT System umbrella), and >>> UT Austin policies. >>> >> That's great to see. Most organisations and jurisdictions seem to fail to >> understand the problems associated with elevated privileges or simply decide >> to ignore them. >> >> One of the main reasons I encourage sysadmins to join organisations like >> SAGE & LOPSA is so that they will become aware of the ethical >> responsibilities of system administration. >> >> I predict that within 50 years (and probably a lot less) sysadmins will >> require formal training and government registration. In a society so >> dependent on computers how can we afford to do any less? >> >> The exact nature of the training and registration remains to be seen. It >> might be like the process to become a doctor, lawyer or electrician. >> > > Thank the gods that I'll be dead by then. Rampant credentialism is > killing competition, driving up prices, and making the world a worse > place to live. > > Just say no to licensing.
and then, of course, you have the sort of "credentials" like "former Chairman of the NASDAQ stock exchange" and "served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and on the Board of Governors of the NASD." Hell, the guy practically invented the NASDAQ stock exchange. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Madoff). or, of course, medical doctors, with all their degrees, hippocratic oath, and board certification, faking data and making up patients to gain publications and prestige. (http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2009/03/11/doctor_accused_of_faking_studies/) It really doesn't matter what kind of credentials are referenced or mandated, there will always be fraud and criminal activity. And there will always be the need for paranoia or skepticism, critical examination of systems, and judgment of human character. There are no magic bullets. We'll always be balancing risk versus precautions, trying to decide how much effort it's worth. Some organizations and some government agencies try to set performance bars (I'm thinking of those for securing systems and data), and then we have to jump at least that high. But, is it high enough? Or is it excessive regulation? -- --------------- Chris Hoogendyk - O__ ---- Systems Administrator c/ /'_ --- Biology & Geology Departments (*) \(*) -- 140 Morrill Science Center ~~~~~~~~~~ - University of Massachusetts, Amherst <[email protected]> --------------- Erdös 4 _______________________________________________ Tech mailing list [email protected] http://lopsa.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/tech This list provided by the League of Professional System Administrators http://lopsa.org/
